Although Beenhakker was never a professional footballer himself, he began his coaching career with the amateur club SV Epe. Two seasons later, he joined Go Ahead Eagles as an assistant coach. From there, he managed several Dutch clubs as head coach, including Veendam, Cambuur, a return to Go Ahead Eagles, and Ajax. He also worked as a youth coach at Feyenoord.
First spell at Ajax
During his first stint at Ajax, Beenhakker led the club to the Dutch league title in the 1979/1980 season. Just three weeks into the season, he was appointed as head coach following the dismissal of Cor Brom. At the time, he had been working with the club's youth teams. That season turned out to be a success, with stars like Ruud Krol, goalkeeper Piet Schrijvers, Sören Lerby, Dick Schoenaker, and Simon Tahamata helping Ajax outpace title rivals AZ’67. They narrowly missed out on the double after losing the cup final to Feyenoord.
Beenhakker returned to Ajax in 1989 and led the team to another Eredivisie title in the 1989/1990 season, a campaign partly overshadowed by the infamous ‘iron bar’ incident. The following season, Ajax narrowly missed the title on goal difference to PSV. He later enjoyed further success at Ajax as technical director, overseeing the team that won the league and KNVB Cup double in 2001/2002.
Memorable moment with Johan Cruijff
One of the most iconic moments of Beenhakker’s career came during a 1980 match against FC Twente, when Johan Cruijff—frustrated with Ajax’s performance—came down from the stands to join Beenhakker in the dugout, advising him to substitute Tscheu-la Ling. “That wasn’t his best move,” Beenhakker recalled later, though he added that it didn’t affect their relationship. Ling went on to contribute an assist and two goals as Ajax came back from 1–3 to win 5–3.
Memorable moment with Johan Cruijff
One of the most iconic moments of Beenhakker’s career came during a 1980 match against FC Twente, when Johan Cruijff—frustrated with Ajax’s performance—came down from the stands to join Beenhakker in the dugout, advising him to substitute Tscheu-la Ling. “That wasn’t his best move,” Beenhakker recalled later, though he added that it didn’t affect their relationship. Ling went on to contribute an assist and two goals as Ajax came back from 1–3 to win 5–3.
During his second spell at Ajax, Beenhakker coined the phrase “De Patatgeneratie” (The Fast-Food Generation) to describe a group of talented yet laid-back players like the De Boer twins, Richard Witschge, Marciano Vink, and Bryan Roy. A 2018 Ajax TV documentary on the 1989/1990 season featured Beenhakker fondly recalling the players’ sense of humour and their antics off the pitch, including a famous photo at a FEBO snack wall.
Players from that era also praised Beenhakker’s personal approach. “He was a real people person, always interested in you,” said Danny Blind. Captain Jan Wouters added: “He could really motivate a group. A very human coach who understood things beyond football.”
That mix of youthful talent and seasoned players such as Wouters, Blind, John van ’t Schip and Stanley Menzo helped Beenhakker secure the title in 1990. “We had to put a lot of energy into it, but that’s what a technical staff is for,” he said.
Triple crown at Real Madrid
In the early part of the 1991/1992 season, Beenhakker left Ajax for a second spell with Real Madrid. He had previously managed the Spanish giants from 1986 to 1989, winning three consecutive La Liga titles. In 1999, he led his boyhood club Feyenoord to the Dutch title. With three Eredivisie and three La Liga titles, Beenhakker remains one of the most successful Dutch managers in history.
In 2000, ‘Don Leo’—a nickname earned during his time in Spain—returned to Ajax once more, this time as technical director. During his three-year tenure, he brought in players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maxwell, Hatem Trabelsi, and Mido. Former Ajax player liaison Priscilla Janssen once shared how Zlatan both respected and feared Beenhakker, calling him “Scarface” and recounting a blunt contract negotiation where Beenhakker warned: “If you're going to fuck with me, I’m going to fuck with you and kick your ass.”
In an interview with Ajax TV, Zlatan also expressed his gratitude towards Beenhakker
One famous anecdote from this period involves Beenhakker hanging a photo in his office of himself celebrating Feyenoord’s 1999 title win. Ajax captain Cristian Chivu was outraged. Beenhakker promised to take it down if Ajax won the title. After they did, he replaced it with a photo of Chivu lifting the trophy.
He left Ajax in the summer of 2003 for personal reasons and was later appointed coach of Mexican side Club América, where he had already coached in the 1994/1995 season.
A true world citizen
Beenhakker truly embodied the term ‘world citizen’. In addition to two spells at Real Madrid, he managed Real Zaragoza, Grasshopper Zürich, and Istanbulspor. Dutch clubs like FC Volendam and Vitesse also benefited from his expertise. In 2017, he returned to Sparta Rotterdam in an advisory role, having previously served as the club’s director of football. After 2018, he stepped back from the public eye at his own request.
Fluent in the language of football, Beenhakker was one of the few able to work seamlessly at both Ajax and Feyenoord. “Feyenoord was in my blood from an early age, but my passion was coaching, improving players. I also have a deep emotional connection with Ajax. I had three great spells there, though one ended on a sour note. But it’s a fantastic club,” he once said. “Especially at De Meer, with the crowd right on top of you. Tscheu-la Ling doing tricks in the corner while the Jack Reynolds Stand went wild—brilliant. It still gives me a warm feeling. And if that makes me crazy, so be it.”
International manager
Beenhakker also served as national team manager on several occasions, coaching the Netherlands (1985 and at the 1990 World Cup), Saudi Arabia (1993/1994), Trinidad and Tobago (2005–2006), and Poland (2006–2009). He took three different countries to two World Cups and one European Championship but never won a match in a major tournament.
That record contrasts sharply with his numerous club achievements. Beenhakker was a coaching icon and a truly unique figure at Ajax.
Ajax extends heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Leo Beenhakker.